Dyckia 'Brittle Star'

RHS Plant Profile
sawblade bromeliad 'Brittle Star'

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A tough, drought tolerant, slow-growing, clump-forming, spiny bromeliad. It has rosettes of greyish recurved leaves, with white barbs along their leaf margins and reddish midribs. Mature plants can produce a tall flower stem in hot summers with bright orange tubular flowers

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H3
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Bromeliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Name Status
Accepted
Plant Range
South America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant in slightly acidic to neutral well-drained soil incorporating coarse grit or perlite. Avoid waterlogging. See hardy cactus and succulent cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division of offsets or 'pups' at their base or propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Gravel garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs and scale insects

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews or leaf spots